The Book Challenge (English)

The Book Challenge is open to those keen to publish their first book in English.

Last Update: 15th April, 2022

Click here to see results page

Challenge Timeline

  • 15th January, 2022: Launch of Silver Angels Startup School and Book Challenge

  • 25th January, 2022: Close of Book Challenge entries online.

  • 29th January, 2022: Book Challenge Webinar with Anish Chandy, Labyrinth Literary Agency

  • 10th February, 2022: Deadline for submission of book synopsis.

  • 20th February, 2022: Announcement of shortlisted entries. Shortlisted entrants (maximum 10) will be asked to submit 3 book chapters.

  • 15th March, 2022: Deadline for submission of 3 book chapters.

  • 20th March, 2022: Announcement of Book Challenge Winner

  • 25th March, 2022: Book Challenge ends.

Selection Process

Based on evaluation of the synopses, 10 applicants will be invited to submit at least 3 chapters to us. The entries will be shortlisted by the jury and the winner will be selected by the publishing expert. Check out our FAQ page to know more.

The winner will receive INR 10000 and a free two-hour coaching session with our expert. This session will offer critique, covering feedback and questions around publishing a book. All shortlisted entrants will receive a gift card equivalent to INR 1000 or more.

Challenge winners will be announced in March 2022.

Author Speak

“Once you have an idea for a book then you need to put a structure to it and then write. Get into a rhythm. Write every day. Or write every weekend.”

– Ambi Parameswaran

Read the full interview with Ambi here.

“We in our silver decade carry such a wealth of detail about a world which is receding into the past or has already vanished except in our collective recall. This is a genuine advantage which writers in their senior years enjoy.”

– Neelum Saran Gour

Read the full interview with Neelum here.

Publishing Partner and Coach

The book challenge is being launched in partnership with Anish Chandy, founder of Labyrinth Literary Agency. Labyrinth offers author representation services across books, screen and audio platforms. Labyrinth places authors with publishers such as – Penguin Random House, Harper Collins, Pan Macmillan, Hachette, Bloomsbury and Westland-Amazon among others. Visit www.labyrinthagency.com to know more.

Our Jury

Nandini Nair

Literary and Culture Editor, OPEN magazine

Nikhil Chandra

Founder, MyLearn

Sabah Hamid

Independent Communications Advisor

You can write to mahesh@silverangels.in for any questions or collaboration opportunities.